Diving-armor



No. 609,085. Patented Aug. I6, 1.898.

J. J. DEVINVE. DIVING ARMOR.

(Application led Dec. 81, 1897.) (No Model.)

IIII'- Patented Aug. I6, |893.

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(Application tiled Dec. 81, 1897.)

-2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

FEED STATES Brion.

DIVING-ARMOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 609,085, dated August 16, 1898.

- Application filed December 31, 1897. Serial No.l 664,959. (No model.)

TobZZ whom t nur/y concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES J. DEVINE, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Clifton Heights, inthe county of Delaware, in the State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Diving-Armor, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in diving-armor which may be worn and utilized for the usual purpose of affording means to accomplish and safety in attaining and effecting subaquatic explorations and labors, and is especiallydesigned for and adapted to the propulsion and progression of a submerged person through water.

Another object or purpose isto provide adivingarmor by means of which the wearer can travel under Water for placing torpedoes, which are carried conveniently by the armor, as will hereinafter be fully speciedand the claimed novelty7 distinctly and particularly pointed out.

I have fully and clearly illustrated the invention in the accompanying drawings,where in Figure l is a perspective of the diving-armor as applied to or worn by a person. Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the armor, showing the compressed-air box in the nnshaped receptacle on the back of the armor and the air-tubes. Fig. 3 is a detail view of one of the foot-iins turned up into position to enable the wearer to Walk upon land. Fig. 4 is a detail of the hood or head piece turned back. Fig. 5 is a section of the back receptacle of the armor.

A designates the body of the armor, which may be of any of theapproved constructions suitable to the purpose and composed of material impervious to water and having proper sealed joints and connections of any suitable character.

the wearer project, as shown in the drawings, the tin-shaped extensions 2 being secured with the edges together by a strap 3, which clamps the forms' together, as indicated. These n-shaped extensions are reversible in direction, being adapted to be turned up, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, to enable the wearer to walk conveniently on the ground, in which position they are secured and retained by means of strap 4f, engaging with a buckle on the straps 3. These iin-shaped extensions enable the wearer to propel himself through the water faster and with less exertion than where the feet are incased in bootshaped terminations. p 4

B designates a iin-shaped receptacle on the back of the armor, tapering vertically from the base to the meetingfedges of the sides, as indicated in Fig.'5 of the drawings, and the front end of the receptacle being rounded or made up of two inclined sides to present a minimum of resistance to the .water through which the movement is made.

The arms C C of the armor are shaped to receive the arms of the wearer and terminate in iin-shaped projections 5,which give a forceful resistance to the water in the propelling movement of the arms and slight resistance on the recovery movement by the wearer, turning them so that their edges cut the water on the return stroke. The wrist portions of the arms of the armor are water-sealed by packings a, and the iin-shaped extensions are held together by a strap and buckle b, as indicated.

D designates the head or hood of the armor,

made pointed or conical and connected to the body of the armor so that it can be turned back and oft and from the face of the wearer when so desired. In the head or hood are secured sightglasses 6, so arranged therein that the wearer may have visual observation of surrounding objects.

In the back receptacle is disposed and suitably secured a compressed-air box 7, of any proper construction, to receive andhold a su pply of compressed air. A flexible airpipe leading from the airebox into the hoodof the armor supplies the requisite air when the wearer is deep in the Water and cannot take in air through the other air-tubes. The supply of IOO air from the air-loox is turned on and off and regulated by a valve 8, arranged therein within the reach of the wearer.

Through the hood of the armorl are let in and secured air-pipes 9 9, leading to convenient proximity to the mouth and nose of the wearer, and are of such lengththat in a shallow course through the water these pipes 9 will project above the surface of the Water and permit a free and uninterrupted passage of air to the Occupant of the armor.

Valves 11 are arranged in the air-tubes 9, which are closed when the diver goes beyond the length of the air-tubes 9, after which he has to have recourse to the air furnished from the compressed-air chamber.

As the armor is intended especially for the purpose of wear and use when the person is to proceed on the Work of destruction in war, a torpedo l2 is detachably secured to the armor and carried on the trip to the place desired. The torpedo may be held in place While carried by means of straps or keepers s s on the armor, having one end permanently secured to the armor and the other end detachably fastened thereto, as by a buckle or button.

The uses of inyimproved armor are apparent and have been generally stated in the description thereof. The wearer launches into the Water and proceeds to his destination, the tinshaped terminations greatly expediting his progress, and when he arrives at the place desired he lands the torpedo and having deposited or placed it in a desired position makes the usual connections and then returns to the pointof starting.

Vhat I claim is- V l. A diving-armor comprising a suitable body portion, the legs and arms of which terminate in iin-shaped projections, and a finshaped receptacle on the back adapted to receive and hold an air-box.

2. In a diving-armor, a body-covering the 'legs and arms thereof terminating in iinshaped projections, a iin-shaped receptacle on the back of the armor, a hood to cover the head of the wearer, a compressed-air box in the iin-shaped receptacle, and a conduit from the said air-box to the hood.

3. In a diving-armor, a body-covering the legs and arms thereof terminating in tinshaped projections, a tin-shaped receptacle on the back of the armor, a hood to cover the head of the wearer, a compressed-air box in the fin-shaped receptacle, a conduit from the said air-box to the hood, and air-pipes 9, 9, leading into the hood, said air-pipes adapted to project above the Water While the armor is submerged a short distance.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES J. DEVINE.

Attest:

JOSEPH F. ROGERS, JOHN L. BURNS. 

